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Letter to Editor
November 23, 1822
Edwardsville Spectator
Edwardsville, Madison County, Illinois
What is this article about?
A letter to the Spectator urges granting suffrage to free people of color, arguing that denial violates principles of justice, consistency, independence, and the constitutional link between taxation and representation, referencing historical separation from Britain.
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FOR THE SPECTATOR.
"Are the quantity and duration of suffering to be made, in every possible case, the very reasons for its continuance--when every man's heart feels, and his understanding confirms the feeling, that, the longer it has been protracted, the more aggravated and afflicting is the injustice?"
Edinburgh Review, Feb. 1822.
Humanity, the noblest attribute of man, will now be at issue with ignorance, prejudice, and other arbitrary ideas attendant on our depraved disposition, by either refusing or granting the petition of the free people of color claiming their right of suffrage, lately published in your paper. If we confine ourselves to a few candid and disinterested sentiments on the above subject, there will be little doubt left in opposition to their prayer.
First, there cannot be a question put or supported, but all men, even, if their habits partake of barbarism, are not only renovated to the exercise of virtue and good citizenship, by the soul-cheering ideas enjoyed by the rights of self-government.
Secondly, above all others on the globe, we are strictly bound, by the purity and essence of our government, to observe consistency, independence, and justice, which are the great pillars of our political fabric, and ought by all means to be kept untarnished. Refuse the request alluded to, are they not all three violated--which are degrading to, not only our institutions, but personally. Have we not always supported the truth, that "taxation and representation" should go hand in hand? Was it not one cause of our separation from the mother country? And in the name of common sense, how can the members of our legislative body take an oath to support the constitutions of the United States, and of this state, and refuse any of our citizens their "inherent rights" so well provided for in these instruments? The attentive perusal of the unexceptionable lines at the head of this piece, is peculiarly adapted to the case of our distressed fellow men, although they are as black as we are white.
OLD RUSTIC.
"Are the quantity and duration of suffering to be made, in every possible case, the very reasons for its continuance--when every man's heart feels, and his understanding confirms the feeling, that, the longer it has been protracted, the more aggravated and afflicting is the injustice?"
Edinburgh Review, Feb. 1822.
Humanity, the noblest attribute of man, will now be at issue with ignorance, prejudice, and other arbitrary ideas attendant on our depraved disposition, by either refusing or granting the petition of the free people of color claiming their right of suffrage, lately published in your paper. If we confine ourselves to a few candid and disinterested sentiments on the above subject, there will be little doubt left in opposition to their prayer.
First, there cannot be a question put or supported, but all men, even, if their habits partake of barbarism, are not only renovated to the exercise of virtue and good citizenship, by the soul-cheering ideas enjoyed by the rights of self-government.
Secondly, above all others on the globe, we are strictly bound, by the purity and essence of our government, to observe consistency, independence, and justice, which are the great pillars of our political fabric, and ought by all means to be kept untarnished. Refuse the request alluded to, are they not all three violated--which are degrading to, not only our institutions, but personally. Have we not always supported the truth, that "taxation and representation" should go hand in hand? Was it not one cause of our separation from the mother country? And in the name of common sense, how can the members of our legislative body take an oath to support the constitutions of the United States, and of this state, and refuse any of our citizens their "inherent rights" so well provided for in these instruments? The attentive perusal of the unexceptionable lines at the head of this piece, is peculiarly adapted to the case of our distressed fellow men, although they are as black as we are white.
OLD RUSTIC.
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Ethical Moral
Political
What themes does it cover?
Constitutional Rights
Politics
Social Issues
What keywords are associated?
Suffrage
Free People Of Color
Taxation Representation
Constitutional Rights
Political Justice
American Independence
What entities or persons were involved?
Old Rustic.
For The Spectator.
Letter to Editor Details
Author
Old Rustic.
Recipient
For The Spectator.
Main Argument
free people of color should be granted the right of suffrage, as denying it violates the principles of justice, consistency, independence, and the established link between taxation and representation central to american government.
Notable Details
Quotes Edinburgh Review, Feb. 1822 On Prolonged Suffering And Injustice.
References 'Taxation And Representation' As A Cause Of Separation From Britain.
Mentions Oath To Support U.S. And State Constitutions Providing Inherent Rights.